Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-02-04

had broken my arm or my neck, Ididn't
care much which.
After that for while was rather shy
on the love subject, for l didn't care 20
hear Kittie's comments on my last at
tempt TO force confession-but, ''out
Of The abundance of the heart the mouth
spvaketh," and my heart was so full Of
love for Kittie l could not compel my
tongue to keep silence for any length Of
time. So one morning after lounging
in my office until was tired OF every
thing-myself in particular-I started
for the deacon's, resolved that the matter
should be decided before returned.
Kittie was sitting by the parlor win
dow, sewing, and humming some merry
tune to herself, as entered. She was
looking prettier than ever, and found
it terrible hard work to talk on common
place topics when my mind was so full
of the one so all important TO me. At
least broke in upon some of her care
less nonsense with:
"Why in the world Kittie don't you
tell ME if you love me? What's the use
of keeping fellow in suspense forever? !?
l believe you do anyway-in fact know
you do"
Here / was making simpleton of
myself again. l might have known she
would not tell me after that-but did
not understand woman-kind as well
then as have learned to do since.
go, you do know" she said, coolly
but with a merry twinkle in her eye.
"Then of course there is no need of my
telling you"
"No, / didn't mean it, Kittie," | said,
penitently. "But do you love me? will
you answer me, yes or no!"
"Yss or no." she answered, demure-
ly.
20, Kittie Markham, you will drive
me crazyr' exclaimed impatiently.
"why, what have done?" with the
most innocent look imaginable.
"Done," I exclaimed, impetuously.
"You know, Kittie, love you hetter
than my life and you will no: give me
the slightest satisfaction as to whether
you love me or not"
"Well, now see here DR.. WILL" che
said, with laugh, throwing down her
work, and stepping through the low
window into the piazza. "Pll tell you
what | will do, if you will promise
never to ask me again"
81 will promise any thing if you will
only give me an honest answer" L said,
eagerly.
"If you can catch me before reach
the elm tree I will give you candid
answer upon my honor"
| bumped my head against the win
dow-sash and nearly pitched heaclong
from the piazza in my haste, and away |
went racing over the lawn with ten
times more eagerness than | ever dis
played in playing "catch" in my boy
hood days.
A very jignifled proceeding, surely,
for a stad NJ. D.; all the gossips in Gull
verton would have held up their hands
in pious horror, had they seen me.
But my whole energies were bent upon
catching that flying gypsy; and catch
her did before she was half way TO the
elm tree. "Now for the answer?' |
said, eagerly.
"Oh, but can't you wait until catch
my breath?" drawing it in quick, spas
modic jerks like some dilapidated old
steam.engine. "Let me see, what was
it | promised to tell your"
whether you love me or not, you
provoking little WITCH" said, fairly
out of patience.
Now look here, DR.. Will, IL you
don't stop calling me names l won't tell
you at all, though, perhaps, that is love
talk, is iL?" and with provokingly
arch glance.
80, Kittie! now do be reasonable; I;
you promised fairly on your honor"
"Did /? Well, you mustn't hurry me
or / can not tell at all-you see 1t will
take some time to think over all the OBJ
jects of my affections to see If you are
among them. lie: me see beginning
to count on her fingersin provokingly
leisurely manner 'there Is old Chloe,
that's one, and Prince-though hs hurt
your arm, you know-he makes two, aud
Old Brindlc is three, and Watch Is four,
and-leL's see-yes, there is DR.. Willard
Campbell is fve."
think / never stopped to thank her
for that answer, and If my return to the
parlor was not as rapid as my exit from
it, it was certainly more dignified. l had
taken my hat and was out of the gate
before Kittie reached the house.
went home in no very enviable state
of mind resolved would never go near
her again. al had been made fool OF
long enough" said, sayagely to N.Y.
self. But my anger had cooled consid-
erably by the time l reached my Office,
and | commenced to study and plan
apew-just as / had done a hundred
times before-hov could outwit this
provoking little elf. Have her would,
but how that was the question.
"a letter for you, doctor" called Out
a voice at the door, and Hal Manveri
tossed it upon the table. ''Eo, thaLi
you," to my invitation to come in, I'm
in hurry"
picked up the letter and tore it open
caring very little " hat its contents nigh
be, but the first few lines fixed my at
t.. Il ~f